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1013 8th Avenue
Seattle, WA, 98104
United States
(206)762-1991
communications@seattlepresbytery.org
The mission of Seattle Presbytery is to participate, in word and deed, in God’s transforming work through the Gospel of Jesus Christ: by strengthening the witness and mission of our congregations and members and by building strong partnerships with each other and the larger Christian community.
If you or someone you know is interested in coordinating our presbytery's Presbyterian Disaster Assistance efforts, please contact EJ Lee.
Links to PDA resources (including congregational resources, bulletin inserts, and more.)
From Cordelia Scheuermann, Dir. of Ministry to Children & their Families at Lake Forest Park PC:
Our church is specifically looking to borrow ( or perhaps even buy) a hand chime set. We have started a children’s Handbell choir. Our bells sat unused for many years and we are now having a lot of fun bringing them out again. Is there a church that is not currently using their hand chime set that would consider loaning us theirs through May? We would love to borrow a 2 octave set and I am more than happy to come pick it up.
A message from Rev. Lina Thompson, Lake Burien Presbyterian Church:
Friends from Presbytery -
I wanted to take a minute to say "thank you" to those at Presbytery last month who donated to our shoe drive for New Horizons Ministry.
Overall, we collected nearly 50 pairs of shoes and an additional $1000. The $1000 was used to purchase $30 Target gift cards for NH staff to use with their young people. (A few of you even stopped by later in the week to drop off shoes - that was awesome! )
Our Sunday service went beyond what any of us expected. We caravaned downtown with vans and cars - in total about 60 people from Lake Burien were there. I am so impressed with our congregation...they totally went for it.
Read the article written for the Lake Burien PC monthly newsletter.
An interfaith pursuit of values fostered by religion that are necessary to sustain a free, pluralistic society
Situation: In recent years, with a widening polarization of the political parties in the United States and elsewhere, there has been an alarming decline of respectful civil discourse. As a nation, we seem to have forgotten the importance of cultivating behaviors and qualities that are required for a democratic society to function properly.
In the face of increasing violence and fearful, often hateful, rhetoric, what might help us move beyond a natural fear reaction to a conscious response based on principles we choose to live by? Are there ideals that people of faith living in America can strive toward together? During this time of challenge and uncertainty, are there shared values upon which we can stand together?
Great teachers of humanity, as well as the sacred writings from all major religions, encourage people to develop and express qualities that are beneficial for themselves, their families and their society. For a democracy to function properly, its citizens must be informed and share a sense of human dignity and concern for the well-being of others. What role can religion play in fostering these and other desirable human qualities?
Standing Together is an interfaith study and dialogue program that focuses on founding principles of the US in light of the teachings of leading religious scholars. It explores the guidance of sacred texts and the advice of great minds regarding how human beings should live, think, act and BE in the world, if they wish to experience inner peace and be responsible members of the human family. Standing Together promotes self-awareness, social responsibility and a deepening commitment to embody the core wisdom of one’s own faith. It also encourages participants to revitalize their commitment to the ideals and values upon which America was built.
Objectives: By means of an interfaith panel, scriptural reflection, and small group discussion, this program seeks to foster greater understanding, respect and cooperative social action among citizens from different faith traditions. It is designed to:
· Tap into what is potentially ‘right’ with people, with religion, and with democratic values
· Explore the positive influence faith can have on individuals and a democratic society
· Increase appreciation for the relevance of sacred teachings in modern life
· Encourage genuine interfaith friendships and cooperative social action
JANUARY 15, 2016 | Presbyterian News Service
SCOTT O'NEILL | LOUISVILLE
On Sept. 2, 2014 five activists chained themselves to train tracks in Everett, Wash., in an effort stop the transport of oil and coal trains through the Pacific Northwest. One of the five is Abby Brockway, a ruling elder at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Abby and her colleagues, known as the Delta 5, were arrested for criminal trespassing.
Previous news stories:
By Ashley Ahearn
kuow.org | January 11, 2015
Five environmental activists who chained themselves to train tracks in Everett to protest oil and coal trains begin trial in Snohomish County District Court on Monday.
The activists face criminal charges alleging they trespassed on BNSF Railway property and blocked an oil train for eight hours on Sept. 2, 2014.
More than 100 people gathered at the Woodland Park Presbyterian Church in Seattle Sunday for a special climate justice service and blessing on the activists, who refer to themselves as the “Delta 5” (after the BNSF Delta railyard in Everett where they erected their human blockade). Several members of the Delta 5 attended the service.
The trial is drawing national attention because it’s believed to be the first allowing a “necessity defense” for climate-related civil disobedience. The judge has ruled that the defendants can argue that their actions were justified because of the threat of climate change.
More about the Delta 5.
Dear Pastors and Clerks of Session,
Once again the time is upon us to complete the many annual reports that come before us.
There are two, required by the Book of Order (one each for the presbytery and the General Assembly), that are for the Clerk of Session to complete each year. They are the annual Statistical Report, and the reports of Pastor Terms of Call. Both of these reports may be completed online.
We receive multiple requests throughout the year for a comprehensive update on the Pastoral Compensation for all Pastors and Associate Pastors in the presbytery. Therefore, we would ask for you to complete the Terms of Call form annually, even if the presbytery already has updated information on your position(s).
The deadline to complete the Annual Statistical Report is February 12 so please compete the form online as soon as you are able. It is not necessary for the Session to approve the Annual Statistical Report before it is filed, rather the Clerk of Session completes the report and then reports to the Session the submission of the report. It is helpful to then include a printing of the report in your Session minutes.
Please complete the Terms of Call form (again online) after your early year annual meeting or no later than March 1. This will allow for the approval of all Terms of Call at the April Presbytery meeting and provide to all the presbytery a single report of all Terms of Call. To simplify matters we are asking only the questions asked by the Board of Pension in their request for updated Terms of Call. Due to matters of privacy, the Board of Pensions may not just report the information directly to the presbytery.
Blessings,
Rev. Karen Breckenridge
Stated Clerk
Contact: Executive Presbyter Rev. Scott Lumsden
Email: scott@seattlepresbytery.org
Seattle, Washington (November 19, 2015)
The Presbytery of Seattle, the area council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), composed of all the teaching elders (ministers) and ruling elder representatives from each congregation within the area, met November 17, 2015 for a special meeting and voted to appoint an administrative commission to investigate allegations of ecclesial disorder within the leadership of First Presbyterian Church of Seattle.
The action passed by a vote of 137 to 8, with three abstentions.
The eight-person commission will investigate the church leadership’s ability and willingness to exercise its authority and manage wisely its affairs. The commission will take appropriate action to remedy any omission, error, or misdeed. Included in the commission’s work may be the potential dismissal of the congregation to another Reformed body under the presbytery’s Communal Discernment and Gracious Dismissal Policy.
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Rev. Tom Hay, Dir. of Ops. & Assoc. Stated Clerk for Office of the General Assembly
Dr. Heath Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly, PC(U.S.A.)
We’re gearing up for the 222nd General Assembly, happening June 18-25, 2016 in Portland. Special guests Tom Hay, director of operations and associate stated clerk for Office of the General Assembly (OGA) and Moderator Heath Rada (via video conference) will be available at Bellevue Presbyterian Church on Tue., Jan. 19 from 12:00-2:00 PM for in-depth discussion. Learn more & register now.
Please also remember to send your elder commissioners to our January 19 stated meeting (Tuesday @ 5:00 PM at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church), where Tom Hay will facilitate the General Assembly discussion at our meeting.
Other important details and deadlines:
More Resources:
At the October 2015 stated meeting, Seattle Presbytery elected the following ruling elder and teaching elder commissioners and alternates to General Assembly:
The presbytery approved the election of the following ruling elder commissioners and alternate:
Ruling Elder Steve Aeshbacher, Bellevue
Ruling Elder Pattie Holt, St. Andrew
Ruling Elder, Kyle Hurst, West Side, alternate
The presbytery approved the election of the following teaching elder commissioners and alternates:
Teaching Elder Doug Early, commissioner
Teaching Elder Chris Pritchett, commissioner
Teaching Elder J. P. Kang, first alternate
Teaching Elder Rich Gingrich, second alternate
More Background:
The presbytery approved setting aside the standing rules in order to elect commmissioners based on the new rules of General Assembly. Two ruling elder commissioners and one alternate were selected using the criteria in the standing rules but the reduced number allowed by General Assembly. Two teaching elder commissioners and two alternates were selected using the following criteria: there were two pools for selecting commissioners – a general pool into which all names were placed and a pool for persons historically underrepresented in Presbytery and General Assembly. The second pool was open but not limited to racial minorities and people with disabilities. Any teaching elder who believed he or she should be included in the second pool and wished to have their name moved to that pool had the opportunity to ask the clerk to be moved, giving the reason for changing pools. Since no one requested to be moved to pool two, both commissioner and alternate names were drawn from pool one.
Questions: Contact Stated Clerk Karen Breckenridge
Seattle Presbytery is leading a delegation to attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University (Indiana), July 19-23, 2016.
Download the registration form and return to Seattle Presbytery (Attn: Presbyterian Youth Triennium), 1544 S. Snoqualmie Street, Seattle, WA 98108 with payment. Make checks payable to: Presbytery of Seattle. All forms and payment due: December 11, 2015.
More details from Triennium Registrar Derona Burkholder:
I am reaching out in the last weeks to make sure you are aware of this opportunity for youth entering high school next year or those who will graduate this year. The deposit and application are due to Seattle Presbytery by Dec. 11th. This is a presbytery sponsored youth event. The final cost is divided into 3 portions. One portion is covered by Seattle Presbytery, one portion by youth's family, and one portion by fundraising within the local church. Please think about sending your youth. We have a limit of 50 people, so we are on one bus once we fly into Chicago. Our first delegate meeting for those who are going from the Seattle Presbytery is scheduled for Jan. 24th at Newport Presbytery in Bellevue.
Currently, we have two women leaders and one male leader, with the possibility of another male leader. If there is a need for more leaders to attend the conference, please email me if you are interested, and once I have a final count I can let you know if we need to add additional leaders. The adult leaders have their fees covered.
Contact SeaPres Triennium Registrar Derona Burkholder or EJ Lee (Seattle Presbytery).
Heath Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), presents his "Call to the Church" -- a request for a study of the form, function and mission of the PC(USA). Recorded at the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board Meeting, Sept. 23, 2015.
Update from Organizer Chris Lim (RE, Indonesian):
I just wanted to say thank you to Seattle Presbytery for supporting Code for the Kingdom Seattle! We had over 100 people registered, 10 projects pitched and many rich relationships formed.
Read an event summary from GeekWire.
I also had the privilege of creating the intro video: Why Code for the Kingdom? and some of the Challenges we addressed.
Here is also a podcast episode I recorded with a friend where I tell a few of the stories of God's gracious provision every step of the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN_VXAL0S7Y
Thanks again and Glory to God!
COGA issues open invitation to discuss identity, purpose of PC(USA)
Identity conversations are taking place across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) wants to make sure all join in.
What does it mean to be Presbyterian? Who is the church called to be in this current day and time? How should the denomination serve into the future?
Valid questions are being discussed in nooks and crannies throughout the church, and now the General Assembly committee that oversees assembly work between biennial meetings is inviting the entire denomination into a churchwide conversation.
Whitworth University's Ekklesia Fellowship Program is a 10- to 12-week summer-ministry experience for current Whitworth students and those who have just graduated. The development of strong partnerships with churches and ministries is essential to this experience. We hope that, through a partnership, ministries will provide an opportunity for students to serve, develop their gifts, and discern their vocations in Christ's body. In turn, each ministry will be supported by a student committed to meeting practical needs and building the capacity of each ministry. Below are documents that contain all of the programmatic and partnership details.
PRACTICAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP SEMINARS AVAILABLE @ MENUCHA
March 19, May 7, September 10, and October 22, 2016: Practical Church Leadership workshops with Rev. Heidi Husted Armstrong (Seattle Presbytery). Back by popular demand! These Saturday workshops are specially designed for pastors and lay leaders of small churches but applicable for people from churches of any size. Participants attend the workshop from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and leave with lots of materials and new insights. Dates and topics for 2016:
For information on all of these programs, visit our website (www.menucha.org/programs) or call Program Director Scott Crane at 503-695-2243.
Menucha Retreat & Conference Center is an ecumenical outreach mission of the First Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR, and is located at 38711 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019. Its mission is enriching lives through hospitality, learning, reflection and renewal.
September 10, 2015 by Leslie Scanlon (Presbyterian Outlook)
Seeing the images of refugee children dying, families crowded into train stations and herded into communities of desolation by the sides of the roads, staring over the barbed wire fences, sleeping on the dirt, carrying what little they have, people around the world are beginning to pay attention.
This pain is not new: It’s been building for years on the backs of people who have no homes, no jobs, no decent education for their children, no good choices.
Gary L. Barckert
Study Leave – July 17-26, 2015
C. S. Lewis Home
Oxford, UK
This Spring I had been considering registering for the C. S. Lewis Summer Seminar, sponsored by the C. S. Lewis Foundation – Redlands, CA. Our long acquaintance with Stan Mattson (director of the Foundation) and his vision for the Kilns bred a deep interest in studying there. The opportunity to be with Earl was equally important.
Miriam’s encouragement sealed the deal and I enrolled for the second week with high anticipation.
READ MORE HERE ...
As a pastor, would you be prepared if…
Summer is a busy time at Mayfield Central Presbyterian Church. We always have a summer intern from Princeton Theological Seminary and a large part of that student’s internship involves leading Vacation Bible School. It was the first day of VBS and it was a sunny, hot day. The church was buzzing- with staff persons, parents, grandparents, and children of all ages- registering children and getting everything set.
Suddenly a woman appeared, sweating, out of breath, and extremely upset, looking to talk to the pastor. She was hysterical. I took her into my office, closed the door, and her story began to pour out in the midst of her hysteria. She has been living in an abusive relationship for the past fifteen years and surviving day by day.
August 25, 2015
Louisville
By Rick Jones, Presbyterian News Service
High winds and dry weather continue to fan the flames in the northwest as wildfires spread, damaging or destroying homes and businesses. Representatives of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s National Response Team have spent nearly a week meeting with the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest and the Synod of Alaska-Northwest to assess the damage and determine needs. The fires in Washington State and Idaho alone have burned thousands of acres over the past two weeks and the work to contain the fires continues.
The National Response Team consists of the Rev. Bill Neely, Jan Spence and Barbara Mason. The three report that despite the damage, volunteers and churches have mobilized to provide clothes, food and shelter for those displaced. The team has also visited some of the small, hard-hit communities of Kamiah and Kooskia, Idaho.
“Right now the people are still in shock and concerned about where the fire is burning and cannot fathom just what to begin to do for long term recovery,” said Spence. “We have helped to set up a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC), but local church leaders believe they and the other volunteers will have to make house calls in the surrounding hills to help those too traumatized and self-sufficient to come to town.”
Early in the visit, the NRT along with volunteers assembled donation bags and drove throughout the area to find anyone in need.
